Civil Disobedience

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere"

This oft-cited quote is from MLK's Letter from Birmingham Jail, an open letter he wrote as a response to a coalition of white clergymen's call for an end to his protests. Their argument was that the sit-ins and marches were creating more tension between whites and blacks and that the courts should mediate any issues or injustices between the then segregated races. King argued that the tension was necessary and constructive, and that previous attempts to litigate or sue the issues away were ineffective. He also argued that there was a long history throughout civilization, let alone American history, that 'illegal' protests were important and justified. "I submit that an individual who breaks a law that conscience tells him is unjust, and who willingly accepts the penalty of imprisonment in order to arouse the conscience of the community over its injustice, is in reality expressing the highest respect for law."

Henry David Thoreau was an admitted influence on his actions and response to criticisms. His work "Resistance to Civil Government" made an argument not only against slavery but also several other inappropriate actions the government had taken such as the Mexican-American war. It is a call to action, not to process. America has a long and treasured history of this, going back to the Founders.

I find there to be great irony whenever I hear (Caucasian) people complain about the current protests we're having in Saint Paul and Minneapolis and extol the virtuous MLK and his approach to change. They imply that MLK would disagree with the current tactics being used: blocking traffic, impeding business as usual and interfering with commerce to name a few. That is because all they learned about Dr. King is a white washed history in which he's a Jesus figure who calmly and politely asked for "equality please" and the kindly white folks just gave it to him. And maybe they've seen a photo or two of fire hoses turned on marchers and maybe they are aware of the church bombings. But the idea that MLK was very much like the current protesters simply cannot be reconciled in their minds. How could they be? MLK is a good one and these ones disrupting traffic are clearly the bad ones, so if MLK is like them and he's a good one then... no. It simply cannot be.

Personally, I don't agree with all the choices and venues made by the current group of protesters, black lives matter or whomever. I think there have been some bad PR decisions made (the State Fair being one of them) but overall I understand why this is happening. And frankly, I'm surprised there has been as much restraint as there has been. I know, that if I felt like I was being systematically hunted (whether perceived or actual), I would probably react with a higher degree of violence. The protesters should be commended to merely blocking traffic and stopping people from going to shopping malls.

Recently I was reading an opinion piece from the Pioneer Press, a local paper here in Saint Paul. I'll spare you the comments sections deplorable and overt racism. One of the man thrusts was that there was a rush to judgement in the shooting of Philando Castile, that the investigation was "on-going" and we shouldn't decide anything or act until the police (investigating themselves, which, duh) told us what happened. I don't know what is going to come out of that probe. I will be surprised if any charges are brought against the police office and I'm even more dubious that if they are he will be convicted of anything substantial. My question is this: what the hell is taking so long?

There were 3 witnesses to the shooting: the shooter, his partner and the girlfriend who was in the car with the victim. There was a live video of the aftermath streamed and recorded for the whole world to see. And there is some dash cam video from the police cruisers. Other than that, what else is being investigated? How long does it take to watched even a full hour of the videos? To take down the girlfriends statement and the testimony of the officers? Are we waiting for the NSA to deliver the super secret spy satellite footage? My belief is that the authorities are most likely waiting for tensions to die down a bit and for the police to regain "law and order" before releasing a report in which the victim is somehow at fault for being shot and announcing that no charges will be filed. This is the standard playbook for this kind of event. It has happened over and over again. MLK would urge the protesters to not be discouraged or defeated by militant police tactics. He would pray for them and wish them courage. He certainly wouldn't disapprove of their peaceful, inconvenient tactics, because that's his playbook.

"Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will. Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering than outright rejection."

So don't complain about the protesters if you believe in MLK and his philosophies, and if you believe in justice, support the people fighting for change.